BalletChild

On 06/03/2022 at 11:57, Lifeafterballet said:

This was Dds first audition in January 2020. I accompanied her. St Polten was the grimmest / deadest place I think I have ever been too. I was expecting Dementors to appear any minute 🤣 Seriously though, if this had been the only contract that Dd was offered she wouldn’t have gone. They crammed as many girls into the ‘studio’ as they could. The floor was like an ice rink and she was so relieved just to have survived the audition. Luckily she didn’t make it to the solo round. Check out their Instagram page, there is a reason that the theatre and studios aren’t shown on there. We met lots of U.K. students and parents there so others may be able to give you their experience. 
I think you need to find what your bottom line is and that was ours. What are your prepared to accept to dance. 

An old thread but felt I should update it as I did read this and wasn't sure my DD should go for it.

I believe the company had hired a nice venue for auditions to accommodate more dancers and my daughter really enjoyed the audition.

She also said the town was nice, with lots of outdoor cafes etc.  They stayed in an Airbnb v near the centre. 

Haven't been there myself but she had quite a different experience.

Has anyone had experience of GC Dance Events (Italy) as a successful route to company positions?

DD is currently applying to companies all over.  I find it odd that none of the companies list what the pay will be, like you would with any other job.  

Anyway, a question I'm unsure of, maybe some of you with experience will know, are the Junior Ballet Company positions generally paid positions?  I'm assuming they are as they are presented as a job opportunity, but I'm not quite sure...

10 minutes ago, dancefanatic said:

We're still on the search for an alternative to my DD's beloved Grishkos.  She tried Gaynor Minden and that was a big fail.  She hates the gel liner made into the shoe plus she couldn't get the right width as her foot is so compressible, she was falling down into the shoe as soon as she went on pointe, despite wearing her usual padding and the GM wing padding insert.  This weekend she had yet another fitting and has decided to try a pair of R-Class RC22 with a hard shank.  She's hoping they will last her as long as her Grishkos so between 2-3 weeks - I'll have to report back on that but when she can kill a pair of Freeds in an hour and Blochs in 2-4 hours, I'm not convinced!  The R-Class are Russians but made in Bulgaria so not subject to any sanctions.  Certainly Dancique in Birmingham report they have not had any supply issues with them.  Perhaps worth a try for your daughter?  

I’m sure she tried R class at one point and found them too soft.  I’ve messaged a couple of people mentioned on here to see what the alternatives are but it’s getting to crunch time with assessments coming up.

Also struggling to get Grishkos, tried so many alternatives and DD just doesn’t like them, she’s always worn Grishko and she likes a hard shoe which fits tightly. Finally found a pair of RP similar but only lasting her a class and also not readily available.  She has assessments and end of year show coming up and she’s on her last pairs!  

I have Grishko 2007 pointes for sale as bought from various places in bulk and daughter only just noticed they were not the correct sizes for her.  So all unworn and in package.

P&P £4.00 Royal Mail First class

Size 5 xxxxx M = 2

Size 5 x M = 1

All shoes £40, I can send you a Paypal link to purchase.

1 hour ago, Jan McNulty said:

Hello BalletChild and welcome to the Forum!

 

Here's an earlier thread that may contain useful information:

 

 

Great, i'll have a look.  I did search before posting but didn't see this one.

2 hours ago, Kanangra said:

Hi BalletChild. You will find they'll go through quite a few! It does depend on many factors, such as shoe and foot strength. I was so pleased when my dd went into Gaynor Mindens, because they lasted longer - she would usually get about 10 weeks out of one pair. I know other dancers in different shoes who were going through a pair every week, or more often. Usually it is a good idea to have two pairs going at the same time so that they can rotate and air them out to give them a chance to dry out and minimise softening. And do you have jet glue there? dancers put it under their shanks to help them last longer. 

 

Thank you, when she was in associate training / dance classes / monthly training she was easily going through 2x pairs a month (pre Covid).  I have some glue somewhere.  

A question for parents with daughters at vocational level.  I know this is different for each individual but just trying to gauge how many pairs of pointe shoes the average vocational school dancer goes through in a year.